Folded disk holder

ABSTRACT

The invention includes a disk holder made of a single piece of foldable material folded to form a disk receiving sleeve. The disk holder also has an integrated disk protection structure included in the disk receiving sleeve, where the integrated disk protecting structure is also formed from the single piece of foldable material. As a result, a disk holder formed without adhesives that also includes an integrated disk protection structure is facilitated.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field holders fordisks. More particularly, the invention relates to a folded disk holderthat can be formed without adhesives that also includes an integrateddisk protection structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A common form of media for storing information, such as music,data, movies, and so forth, is a disc. In particular, advances ininformation storage have resulted in storing the information on anoptical disc. An optical disk includes various formats and form factorssuch as compact disc (CD), mini-compact disc (mini-CD), digitalversatile disc (DVD), and so forth. In order to store the disc, variousdisc holders are available.

[0003] For example, one common disc holder is a thin plastic rectangularcase referred to as a jewel case. Often times, the jewel case has twoplastic parts that are hinged together, where one part holds the discwhile the other part functions as a hinged cover. Because the jewel caseis made of rigid plastic, the disc is well protected. However, becausethe jewel case is made of rigid plastic, often times, the jewel casesare brittle and susceptible to breakage, in particular, the location ofwhere the two plastic parts are hinged together. Additionally, becausethe jewel cases are made of rigid plastic, costs associated with eachjewel case are relatively high even when compared to the costsassociated with the disc. Moreover, as people become increasinglyconscientious of environmental concerns, the use of plastic is notconsidered environmentally sound.

[0004] In order to address some of the drawbacks with plastic jewelcases, fiber based disc holders are being utilized such as paper discholders. However, known fiber based disc holders have severaldisadvantages. One disadvantage is that the fiber based disc holdersoften times require some form of adhesive such as glues. Use ofadhesives is not considered environmentally sound, and commonly addsadditional complexity to the manufacturing process that results inincreased costs. Another disadvantage is that fiber based disc holdersoften lack structures integrated into the fiber based disc holder tofacilitate protection of the disc. For example, the fiber based discholder may hold the disc within a pocket without having any protectivestructures whereby the disc may move freely about the pocket increasingthe chances of damaging the information stored on the disc. Anotherexample, may be where the fiber based disc holder has an insert thatprovides some form of protection to the disc, but having the insertoften requires that the fiber based disc holder have various separatepieces adding to the complexity and costs to the fiber based disc holder(i.e., various pieces of fiber based material are required to be stampedout).

[0005] Thus, typical prior art disc holder approaches such as plasticjewel cases, fiber based disc holders, and the like are relativelycostly, environmentally unsound, complex to manufacture, and may notprovide the desired structural protection.

[0006] Accordingly, a need exists for a disc holder that addresses atleast some of the previously described disadvantages of prior art discholders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention will be described by way of exemplaryembodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 illustrates a disk holder made of a single piece offoldable material having an integrated disk protection structure, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 illustrates a single piece of foldable material that formsa disk holder, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0010] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate sequential views of the process by which adisk holder is formed from a single piece of foldable material, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 4 illustrates a single piece of foldable material that formsa disk holder, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0012] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate sequential views of the process by which adisk holder is formed from a single piece of foldable material, inaccordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In the following description, various aspects of the inventionwill be described. However, one skilled in the relevant art willrecognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of thespecific details, or with other methods, materials, components, etc. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of variousembodiments of the invention. Similarly, for purposes of explanation,specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. Furthermore, it isunderstood that the various embodiments shown in the figures areillustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0014] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or“an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, material, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances ofthe phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment or invention. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in anysuitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0015] Further, in the description to follow, unless specifically statedto the contrary, the term disc includes any form of thin media that maybe utilized to store information such as, but not limited to, compactdisc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), and the like, and does notnecessarily need to be circular. Similarly, unless specifically statedotherwise, the term foldable material includes any type of foldablematerial such as, but not limited to, fiber based materials (e.g.,paper, corrugated cardboard, fabric type materials, and the like.Additionally, foldable material may also include non-fiber basedmaterials such as, but not limited to, synthetic materials (e.g.,plastics, Mylar, polypropylene, and the like).

[0016] the term fiber based material includes any type of fiber basedmaterials such as, but not limited to, paper, corrugated cardboard,fabric type materials, and the like.

[0017] In various embodiments of the invention, a disk holder formedwithout adhesives that also includes an integrated disk protectionstructure is described. This and other advantages will be evident fromthe disclosure.

[0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a disk holder made of a single piece offoldable material having an integrated disk protection structure, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 1is a disk holder 100 having a disk holder closing flap 102 in an openedcondition to show a disk 104. In particular, the disk 104 is shownwithin a disk receiving sleeve 106. Disk receiving sleeve 106 has anintegrated disk protection structure 108 that facilitates protection ofthe disk 104 from various harmful mechanical effects such as, but notlimited to, movement, impact, and the like. Additionally, the diskreceiving sleeve 106 has an integrated disk access area 110, and diskholder closing slot 112.

[0019] As will be described in further detail, disk holder 100 is madeof a single piece of foldable material 200 (shown in FIG. 2). The singlepiece of foldable material 200 is folded to form the disk receivingsleeve 106 and the integrated disk protection structure 108, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The diskreceiving sleeve 106 and the integrated disk protection structure 108are formed from the single piece of foldable material 200 withoutrequiring adhesives.

[0020] The single piece of foldable material 200 may be of any type offoldable material, preferably, environmentally sound material. Forexample, single piece of foldable material 200 may be fiber basedmaterial as, but not limited to, recyclable fiber based material (e.g.,recyclable paper).

[0021]FIG. 2 illustrates a single piece of foldable material that formsa disk holder, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 2, disk holder 100 (shown in FIG. 1) is shown in anunfolded condition. That is, disk holder 100 is shown as a single pieceof foldable material 200. As will be described in further detail, thesingle piece of foldable material 200 shown in FIG. 2 forms the diskholder 100 having the integrated protection structure 108 (shown inFIG. 1) without adhesives.

[0022] Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, as shown, the single piece offoldable material 200 is substantially rectangular in shape, and isdefined by a vertical axis 202 and a horizontal axis 204. It should beappreciated that the vertical and horizontal axis 202 & 204 are shownonly for the purposes of describing the invention.

[0023] Illustrated in FIG. 2, the single piece of foldable material 200has a first end section 210, a middle section 220, and a second endsection 230. Located between the first end section 210 and the middlesection 220 is a first rectangular fold area 205 parallel to thehorizontal axis 204. Additionally, located between the middle section220 and the second end section 230 is a second rectangular fold area 206parallel to the horizontal axis. As will be described in further detail,the first and second rectangular fold areas 205-206 aide in theformation of the disk holder 100 from the single piece of foldablematerial 200.

[0024] The first end section 210 has a tab 211 extending away from themiddle section 220 along the vertical axis 202. The first end section210 and the tab 211 may be folded along the first rectangular fold area205 to form the disk holder closing flap 102, thereby facilitatingclosing of the disk holder 100.

[0025] The middle section 220 has a first flap 221 and a second flap 222on opposite sides of the middle section 220. Located between the firstflap 221 and the middle section 220 is a third rectangular fold area 207parallel to the vertical axis 202. Located between the second flap 222and the middle section 220 is a fourth rectangular fold area 208 alsoparallel to the vertical axis 202. The flaps 221-222 folded along thethird and fourth rectangular fold areas 207-208 facilitate formation ofthe disk receiving sleeve 106, in particular, formation of the sides ofthe disk receiving sleeve 106. Additionally, the first flap and thesecond flap 221-222 each have a slit 223 located as shown. The slits 223also facilitate formation of the disk receiving sleeve 106, inparticular, the bottom of the disk receiving sleeve 106.

[0026] The second end section 230 has a slot 231 parallel to thehorizontal axis, two locking tabs 232, a substantially circular hole233, and a fold line 234 as shown. Illustrated in FIG. 2, the fold line234 is parallel to the horizontal axis and bi-sects the substantiallycircular hole 233.

[0027] The second end section 230 may be folded along the fold lineresulting in a folded section 235. Briefly referring back to FIG. 1, thedisk receiving sleeve 106 has the folded section 235 in contact with thedisk 104 within the disk receiving sleeve 106. That is, the foldedsection 235 presses up against the disk 104 and provides protection forthe disk 104 from various harmful mechanical effects, such as, but notlimited to, movement, impact, and the like. Accordingly, in FIG. 2, thefold line 234 facilitates formation of the integrated disk protectionstructure 108.

[0028] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the slot 231 facilitatesclosing of the disk holder 100 by receiving the tab 211 once the diskholder closing flap 102 is in the closed position. That is, referringbriefly back to FIG. 1, the slot 231 forms the disk holder closing slot112. The substantially circular hole 233 facilitates ease of use byforming the disk access area 110 in the proximity of a center hole ofthe disk 104 (not shown).

[0029] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate sequential views of the process by which adisk holder is formed from a single piece of foldable material 200, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3D, inparticular, referring to FIG. 3C, the first flap 221 and the second flap222 are interleaved with the folded section 235 during the formation ofthe sleeve 106. Then, referring to FIG. 3D, locking tabs 232 with oneway hooks lock the formed sleeve 106. This was found empirically to beadvantageous in order to keep the disk holder 100 from coming apart, andto facilitate contact of the integrated protection structure 108 withthe disk 104 resulting in protection of the disk 104. Additionally, therectangular fold areas 205-208 advantageously provide printable spinesfor labeling of the disk holder 100.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3D, it will be evidentto those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the essence of this invention.

[0032]FIG. 4 illustrates a single piece of foldable material that formsa disk holder, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, a single piece offoldable material 400 forms a disk holder having an integratedprotection structure without adhesives, in accordance with an alternateembodiment of the present invention.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the single piece of foldable material 400 hassubstantially similar features as the single piece of foldable material200 (shown in FIG. 2). However, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4,the single piece of foldable material 400 has non-locking tabs 432located on the first and second flaps 221-222. Additionally, the singlepiece of foldable material 400 has slits 423 parallel the vertical axis202. Instead of a substantially circular hole, the single piece offoldable material 400 has a substantially oval hole 433 as shown.Furthermore, in FIG. 4, located between the middle section 220 andsecond end section 230 is a fold line 406 instead of the rectangularfold area 206 (shown in FIG. 2).

[0034] In the alternate embodiment illustrated, the non-locking tabs 432function to form the sides of the disk receiving sleeve 106 by slidinginto the slits 423. Utilizing the non-locking tabs 432 with the slits423 facilitates easy dismantling of the disk holder. Additionally, thesubstantially oval hole 433 facilitate a deeper disk access area 110 toaccommodate various sized disks. The fold line 406 facilitates a thinnerprofile form factor for the disk holder.

[0035] Together, the various modifications of the single piece offoldable material 400 shown in FIG. 4, also facilitate formation of adisk holder without adhesives including an integrated disk protectionstructure and a disk access area, in accordance with an alternateembodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate sequential views of the process by which adisk holder is formed from a single piece of foldable material, inaccordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] A variety of alternate embodiments of the present invention cancombine features from the embodiments of FIGS. 2 & 4. For instance, analternate embodiment could use the locking tabs 232 of FIG. 2 with thesubstantially oval hole 433 of FIG. 4.

[0038] Thus, a disk holder formed without adhesives that also includesan integrated disk protection structure has been described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disk holder comprising: a single piece offoldable material folded to form a disk receiving sleeve; and anintegrated disk protection structure included in the disk receivingsleeve, the integrated disk protecting structure also formed from thesingle piece of foldable material.
 2. The disk holder of claim 1 furthercomprising: the single piece of foldable material having a first endsection, a middle section, and a second end section, the single piece offoldable material being substantially rectangular in shape defined by avertical axis and a horizontal axis; the first end section having a tabextending away from the middle section along the vertical axis tofacilitate closing of the disk holder; the middle section having a firstflap and a second flap on opposite sides of the middle section along thehorizontal axis to facilitate forming of the disk receiving sleeve; andthe second end section having at least one fold line to facilitateformation of the integrated protection structure of the disk holder, anda slot along the horizontal axis to receive the tab of the first endsection.
 3. The disk holder of claim 1, wherein the single piece offoldable material comprises a single piece of fiber based foldablematerial.
 4. The disk holder of claim 3, wherein the single piece offoldable material comprises a single piece of foldable recyclablematerial.
 5. The disk holder of claim 4, wherein the single piece offoldable recyclable material comprises a single piece of foldablerecyclable paper.
 6. The disk holder of claim 1, wherein the singlepiece of foldable material comprises a single piece of foldablesynthetic material.
 7. The disk holder of claim 1, wherein theintegrated disk protection structure comprises an integrated diskprotection structure formed to press up against a disk.
 8. The diskholder of claim 1, wherein the integrated disk protection structurecomprises an integrated disk protection structure formed to reduceharmful mechanical effects on a disk.
 9. The disk holder of claim 8,wherein the integrated disk protection structure comprises an integrateddisk protection structure formed to reduces at least one of movement ofthe disk and impact to the disk.
 10. The disk holder of claim 2 furthercomprising: a first slit on the first flap; a second slit on the secondflap; and at least two locking tabs located on the second end section tolock into the first and second slits.
 11. The disk holder of claim 2further comprising: a first non-locking tab located on the first flap; asecond non-locking tab located on the second flap; and at least twoslits located on the second end section to receive the first and secondnon-locking tabs.